2014
Buffalo Bulls
College Football
Betting Preview
Odds and Schedule
After Four straight losing seasons, Buffalo surprised a lot of people en route to an eight-win 2013 and a second-place finish in the MAC East. Expectations will be lowered with a number of top players gone including No. 5 overall NFL draft pick linebacker Khalil MACk, along with a 1,500-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver.
The Bulls have a big hole to fill at running back where Branden Oliver was a beast last year with 310 carries. Athone Taylor (82 carries, 399 yards) will come in and likely start, but it’ll probably end up being a committee with Devin Campbell (WR in 2013) and Jordan Johnson also seeing time. Joe Licata is back for his junior season at quarterback and will have a bigger role due to the RB situation. He’s coming off a solid 2,824-yard, 24 TD and 8 INT season, but a lot of the offense revolved around the rushing Game.
Licata’s receivers will be mostly new as well with Boise Ross (13 receptions) and Devon Hughes (seven receptions) coming into starting roles. Tight end Matt Weiser could play a bigger role in the receiving Game as well. The best news for this offense is on the offensive line where they’ll have five guys with starting experience returning. While RB and WR took a big hit, a top offensive line can go a long way.
Buffalo’s defense dominated the MAC for most of last year allowing 23 points or less in nine of their final 10 regular season Games. Losing MACk obviously hurts, but they still have one of the top linebacking units in the conference. Seniors Lee Skinner, Adam Redden and Jake Stockman will lead the team at linebacker and all have plenty of experience. A couple more seniors will need to step up in tackle Kristjan Sokoli and cornerback Cortney Lester.
The Bulls do have some new faces coming in and will more than likely take a step back from 2013, but this is still a solid group.
While Buffalo may not be as good as last year, a bowl Game is still in sight for this group. They don’t have back-to-back road Games at Ohio State and Baylor again, so their Schedule is already easier. Playing Baylor at home is still tough, but getting three non-Conference wins is possible.
From there, the Bulls have an extremely friendly Schedule getting Eastern and Central Michigan out of the West division. A road Game at Bowling Green will be their toughest Conference test, but other than that, all their other MAC Games are winnable.
A friendly Schedule means six wins in Conference play is possible again and if they can get three in non-Conference play, that’s nine wins. That seems like a bit of a stretch, but in a Conference devoid of returning quality quarterbacks, Buffalo has an edge with Licata at the helm.
Check out 5 dimes sportsbook for the latest MAC odds for the 2014 season.
2014 Buffalo Football Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. Duquesne
Sept. 6 at Army
Sept. 12 vs. Baylor
Sept. 20 vs. Norfolk State
Sept. 27 vs. Miami (OH)
Oct. 4 at Bowling Green
Oct. 11 at Eastern Michigan
Oct. 25 vs. Central Michigan
Nov. 5 at Ohio
Nov. 11 vs. Akron
Nov. 19 vs. Kent State
Nov. 28 at Massachusetts